The studied seclusion which Grindstane observed, and seemed determined to vindicate against all attempts on the part of the neighbours to "draw him out," rendered it difficult to obtain any insight into the domestic economy of his strange domicile; but accident, at last, brought about what might otherwise not have been easily accomplished. It was observed that, for a considerable time, his daughter had been ailing. She made no complaints to any one; but the quick eye of sympathy soon discovered what was apparently attempted to be concealed. The wife of John Monilaws, a grocer and meal-dealer, from whom Jeanie bought the small portion of provisions her father required, observed and noticed the change that had taken place upon her, and urged her to reveal her complaint, and apply to the surgeon of the village for relief. She smiled sorrowfully at the exhibition of a sympathy to which she was so much a stranger, and which she was not permitted to avail herself of; thanked Mrs Monilaws for her kind intentions; and assured her she was not much out of her usual condition of health. Two days afterwards, the good dame was astonished by the grotesque appearance of the mysterious Cubby himself, standing by the side of her counter. It was seldom he was to be seen, far less spoken to; and, as she looked on the man whom report had invested with attributes of an unusual kind, a shiver came over her, which the presence of her husband, who, having seen Cubby enter the shop, followed him from mere curiosity, was required to counteract. "I want to buy some bread," said he, slowly. "What kind?" said Mrs Monilaws. "A kind I hae aften asked Jeanie to get," replied he; "but my een are never blessed wi' the sight o't." "Te may hae't, if we hae't, Cuthbert Grindstane," said John. "Hae ye ony auld, weathered bread," said he, "that has seen the sun for a week, and fules winna buy frae ye?" "Ay hae we," replied the mistress--"owre muckle o that. There's some our John is to boil up for the pigs. It's moulded as green as turf-sod. But ye hae nae pigs, Cuthbert?" "Pigs anew--pigs anew," replied he. "What's the price o' that?" "It's scarce worth onything," replied the honest woman. "It's seldom I sell whinstanes covered wi' green moss. Ye may hae't a'thegither for a penny." "That's owre muckle, guid woman," said Cubby. "A bawbee, eke a farthin, is the hail value o't. I'll gie nae mair." "I dinna deal in farthins," replied she. "Dinna deal in farthins!" ejaculated Cubby with surprise. "Is a farthin no the fourth part o' yer ain price o' a' that bread, sufficient to keep a moderate man for a week?" "He would be a very moderate man that wad eat it," said John. "I was even dootin if I wad hurt the stamach o' my pigs wi't, though boiled in whey." "Whey!" ejaculated Cubby again--"do ye gie yer pigs whey? They maun hae a routhy stye. Will ye hae my bode?" "Ye may tak it for naething," said the mistress. "Hoo is Jeanie?--she was complainin last time I saw her."